CAMDEN, Ark. (AP) - Ouachita County's top elected official was indicted Thursday on charges that accuse him and a local contractor of conspiring to defraud the government out of disaster-relief funds after tornadoes in 2009 and to divert money to his political campaign.

The federal indictment alleges that Ouachita County Judge James Michael Hesterly hired Harry Clemons Jr. to help clean up the county following storms that hit on Oct. 29, 2009, after Clemons arranged for two other people to submit inflated bids to ensure he received a contract backed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"Hesterly, with the knowledge and agreement of Clemons, falsely represented to FEMA ... that 'the contract' had been awarded through a competitive bidding process in which Clemons's bid was the lowest of three bids, when in truth and fact there was no such legitimate, competitive bidding process," the indictment states.

Hesterly, 49, of Camden, and Clemons, 39, of Bearden, are each charged with one count of conspiracy and two counts of bribery in a program receiving federal funds. An arraignment is scheduled for Friday.

The indictment said Clemons received $69,865 for the work, and in turn gave Hesterly a campaign contribution in excess of $5,000. In Arkansas, a county judge is the chief administrative officer of a county, much like a mayor in a city.

Prosecutor Conner Eldridge said Hesterly was being held pending the arraignment in El Dorado.

It wasn't clear whether the defendants had lawyers, and neither man could be reached for comment. A phone number listed under Hesterly's name rang unanswered Thursday, as did phone numbers for Clemons' home and business.

Eldridge said Hesterly has been in office 10 years.

A series of violent storms hit Ouachita County in late October 2009. One northeast of Camden was on the ground for 10 miles, causing significant damage near the Arkansas Fire Training Academy before lifting near Bearden.

Another tornado near Louann was on the ground for nearly 20 miles that damaged at South Arkansas Tech, and a third twister near Amy downed thousands of trees.

FEMA provides assistance to local governments following disasters, provided the work is arranged through sealed bids.